Lithium is emerging as the new gold in the modern world. It is used extensively in making re-chargeable batteries that are used across phones, laptops, electric vehicles etc. As the world is transitioning towards clean energy, demand for lithium is rising exponentially. India is dependent on imports for her lithium needs. Recently, a large lithium deposit has been found during a geological survey in Central India. According to initial estimates, the reserve is large enough to not only fulfill domestic requirements but also leave enough surplus for India to export lithium to other countries. The news of this discovery is covered by national media. This reserve can provide much needed impetus to adoption and development of green energy technologies in the country. Many prominent union ministers have expressed their desire for timely development of lithium mines and claimed that this discovery to be an outcome of their far-sighted governance and development model. Amit is a senior government official who has been appointed as project development officer for this mining project. During initial assessment of the project, Amit found that the discovered reserve lies inside a forest inhabited by tribals. This is a pristine forest, hitherto untouched by humans, other than indigenous tribal communities. This forest hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic. Further, the lithium reserve lies at the foothill of a hillock. This hillock has a small shrine where the deity worshipped by the tribals is located. Lithium mining in this area would mean destruction of forest, blasting of the mountain where shrine of the tribal deity is located and displacement of tribals. The tribal population is against this mining project. They consider this project as an assault on their way of life and culture. Intelligence report suggests that if these tribals are forcefully displaced and their shrine destroyed, they can become easy targets for the Naxal indoctrination and create a security nightmare for the state. On the other hand, Amit is facing political pressure for execution of this project and has been repeatedly reminded that not only this project is of national importance but also can be a stepping stone for his career. Amit is your colleague and a close friend. He asks you for your advice in this matter. Based on the described situation, help Amit identify various ethical dilemmas in this case. In your opinion, what is the most suitable course of action for Amit? Justify your choice.

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Syllabus: Case Studies on above issues.